B. Gabriel Helou

Truly, One Hell of a Guy

Just in case you're interested . . .

The Spouse

Audrey V. HelouShe Who Must Be Obeyed!

Audrey has the
unenviable responsibility of keeping me from making a complete fool of
myself. Generally, she does a pretty good job of it. Occasionally, she
throws up her hands in frustration and turns me loose.

She occassionally regrets that.

One thing we have no regrets about is getting married; it was an event
so nice, we did it twice.

My Family

Leslie N. Helou

The best brother anyone could ask for.
We grew up side-by-side and enjoyed it.
We've worked together and enjoyed it.
We've shared an apartment and enjoyed it.
He's been my best friend my whole life.

Lora A. Helou

The best sister anyone could ask for. Intelligent, witty, charming, and
-- even in sepia -- beautiful.

Khalil G. and Lois Helou

I am fortuate enough to have the two best parents there are. When two adults can
put up with me as a child, they must be truly exceptional individuals.

Friends and Coconspiritors

I'm also the product of the people around me. These are some of
the people who make me who I am . . .

Mike and Carol Wayne

Sometimes, it seems I've known
Mike
and Carol longer than I really have.
Mike's a fellow computer jockey
who gave up day-to-day programming to become president of
Msen, Michigan's
best-run Internet service provider. He also shares my fondness
for good food and drink. Carol is an accountant, bookkeeper, and financial
consultant who proudly takes accountant stereotypes and stands them on
their head.

For several years, Stately Wayne Manor was a hang-out for many of our
friends on Friday nights, following the tradition set by Bob &
Connie Trembley, who hosted the Friday gatherings for over a decade
before moving too-far-away.

R. J. "Bob" Trembley andConstance Martin-Trembley

I can't say enough about Bob and Connie. They're responsible for
introducing me to most of the people I spend my free time with and
introducing me to science fiction conventions.

The Trembley home enjoys a well-deserved reputation for hospitality; I
think I've spent more time in their kitchen than I have in my own. On
top of that, they hosted a gathering of friends every Friday night for several
years that became a weekly tradition for many of us.

Ken and Jennifer Farmer

I met Ken when I worked for Ford Motor Company. He's got a sense of humor
that's frighteningly close to mine and knack for looking at problems from
unexpected angles; it was most unfortunate that our projects rarely
overlapped.

I met Jennifer when I bumped into Ken at an ice cream shop and quickly came
to the conclusion that she was every bit as fun as Ken. I enjoyed hanging
out, traveling, and partying with Ken and Jennifer frequently while they
still lived in the area. I enjoy their company as often as fate allows,
now that they're living in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains.

R. S. "Dealer" Cadwell

When we met him at Central Michigan University, he was selling floppies
at prices way below anyone else in the area. Later on, we worked with
him at a local computer store. After the three of us left the store
(and they folded), he moved to Cadillac, Michigan and continued to sell
computers.

When he hasn't been building and selling computers, he's had the time
to build his house (mostly by himself), ride trails on one of his
motorcycles, and head to several places around the world for some R&R.
Everyone should be so lucky.

Marshall Muller andJean Jambas

There aren't a lot of people who's interests in music, food, and art
are as eclectic as ours. Whether it's listening to Celtic rock,
dining on black bean burritos, or visiting the Detroit Institute of
Arts, we have a good time hanging out with
Jean and
Marshall.

If that wasn't enough ... they're the parents of my godson, Ian.

Clark Wierda and Margaret Bumby

After sharing the same friends and attending the same events
[1] for two decades, we finally met.
It's no surprise we get along so well; it's just a shame it took so
long to figure that out.

1. Case in point: Margaret and I took the same class once. There
were only about a dozen people in the class, but neither of us recall
the other being there. Still, our calendars confirmed we'd spent
several hours together in the same classroom.

Gary Gielincki and Virginia Kasten

Gary and I have known each other since high school. He's one of the
few high school friends I've managed to keep in touch with over the
years. I suspect this is because he's one of the ones with which I most
want to keep in touch.
I've known Virginia since the time I went to visit Gary when he was
at Michigan Technological University. She likes computers, cats, science
fiction, a wide variety of music; we get along great.

Gary & Gini have hosted gatherings of the South East Michigan
Gluttony Society at the home for over 20 years. Friends, conversation,
and stupid amounts of food . . . who could ask for more?

Don Stouffer

Don and I met in 5th grade and he still puts up with me. He's
surrounded himself with charming and intelligent women (one wife and two
daughters), making him the envy of many. On top of that, I think he can
fix (or build) anything.

Lisa and Joe Besko

Two friends from college that we never met while in college.

It wasn't until we'd graduatated and were visiting friends still in
school that we met Joe and Lisa. They were part of the
Grapevine
crowd, a group of computer buffs. We quickly came to the conclusion that
we liked hanging out together. Living about 150 Km apart, we don't get to
do so as often as we'd like.

C. C. "Bosh" Gillett

Bosh introduced me to Audrey. What more can I say? On top of that,
we shared three residences, fought, hugged, argued, and hacked.
We also made corned beef hash and scrambled eggs every Sunday for
who-knows-how-long, and share the blame for creating Hot Dog Stew.